So I had a truly mindblowing experience at work today. Something that was hugely humbling and supremely cool at the same time.

However, I can't really talk about it here since the only person to experience it was me, and in describing the event it could easily out my little blog here to a few people that I would prefer not to see it yet. I have always known that someone from work would find this but I don't want to make it so easy.

Therefore, if you're curious, shoot me an email and I'll tell you all about it.

So I went to lunch today and set my computer to start downloading updated virus definitions. Being as I have to use a dialup connection I usually set it up to start downloading somthing or sending email with larger attachements while I eat. Tomorrow was to be the updated drivers for the CD-RW on the laptop that didn't work yesterday when I was trying to backup my hard drive. (Note: ominous foreshadowing).

Well when I returned from my 40 minute lunch I walk into my office and discover no laptop, no laptop bag, no palm pilot attached to my laptop.

Luckily for me, I had updated all of my financial info in my Plam last night so all of my accounts were up to date and reay to go! (Note: sarcasm)

All of the work I have done for the last three weeks, all of my emails, all of my contacts in my Palm (250+), and best of all, my bank info (protected by password at least), was simply gone.

Since lunch today I have cancelled three bank accounts, two credit cards, spoken to nine, NINE, different customer 'care' representatives at Palm who seem to have lost all records of my registration and purchase of my Tungsten, and finally my boss who was not happy.

All in all, a great day, especially since it looks like while my computer will be replaced , my Palm will not since it was a personal device.

Day One started at 3:15am and ended at 11:15pm, A long day, but exciting. I took a few pictures on the cell phone and should get them up in a photo album soon, most likely once I get back.

First impressions? I have never felt and may never again feel this excited about a job. I have spoken with virtually everyone here and with each conversation I have had, I am more and more certain that this is the right thing for me. A national organization that is small enough for me to make a huge impact but large enough that its success is virtually guaranteed. For example, a had a meeting with the chairman of the organization yesterday and I waited for him to finish a call with the CEO of a Fortune 50 company with him saying, "I talked to Karl about the President coming back and I feel good about it." Referring of course to THE President and his chief advisor.

That's the already a success part. The other was when he told me that my area is the model for virtually all future expansion the program which I am a part. It is on my shoulders to make it succeed, with help of course, but I am the only one on the ground. I feel blessed that I have become a part of something I can be proud of and completely support.

I am off to California in a little over nine hours now, and I am just starting to pack. Found out that I will be here in Los Angeles and here in San Francisco. Nice places to stay, but to get there, I have to fly this.

So I may be able to access the advertised T1 lines, but most likely, no updates until Saturday.

Today is my first weekday that I have worked since I gave my notice so it has been a series of meetings to re-assign my priorities and begin training the people who will take over my responsibilities. At this point they are not going to hire someone to replace me until at least November so I can't train too much.

My transition plan is light on things for me to accomplish before I go, but I still have a few things. i just can't seem to get in gear and get them done. Hopefully I will because I don't want to get stuck having a weeks worth of work to do in a day at the end.

It doesn't help that I was going to leave a little early today and get a jump on some issues for my new job but my boss crashed her Outlook inbox (over 20,000 new messages in the past six weeks) by not following my instructions on archiving and deleting so I have to rebuild it before I go home tonight.

I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in a really long time. Ever since I was a child I have had a mortal fear of dentists. It probably didn't help that when I was about seven, I was getting a tooth pulled and the dentist slipped with the Novocaine needle and pushed it through my cheek. That was one piercing I didn't really want.

So I went into yesterday's appointment with a bit of trepidation and plain ol' wet-your-pants fear. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as I had feared.

A patient and calming hygienist, a professional yet happily goofy dentist, and a spectacular view of a ivy covered hillside made all the difference. Okay, the third one wasn't so interesting but the first two were.

All in all, no cavities, just a tiny bit of pain, and no major problems. Although the dentist told me I have extremely large teeth, an unusually small mouth, and a regular size tongue.

More than a day later, I still don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

So I have been smiling a little more than usual today with my (sorta) bright smile. Now if I can only do something with my goofy front tooth...